Signaling device including a substrate integrated wave guide

ABSTRACT

An illustrative example electronic device includes a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate. An antenna member is situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members. A signal generator has a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member. The antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/070,059, which was filed on Mar. 15, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,468,738.

BACKGROUND

Modern day passenger vehicles are including an increasing amount of electronics. Advances in technology have made it possible to incorporate a wide variety of systems onto a vehicle. For example, various sensor configurations have been developed to provide assistance or information to a driver regarding the environment surrounding the vehicle. Various object detection and sensing technologies provide parking assist and collision avoidance features, for example.

Advances in radio frequency signaling technology have enabled the development of sophisticated system-on-a-chip integrated circuits. The functionality required for environmental sensing or communications can be embodied in integrated circuit components. Example uses for such devices include automotive vehicle radar detection systems, robotics guiding systems and Wi-Fi data transfer.

Antennas for signal transmission may vary depending on the particular sensing or communication of interest. For example, low gain, broadband antennas are used for Wi-Fi communications and larger, high gain antennas are typically used for point-to-point data communications. Antennas useful for automotive radar systems typically fall between those two extremes. One type of antenna that has been developed that can be useful for vehicle-based systems is known as a substrate-integrated-wave guide (SIW). These devices are useful in the vehicle context because they typically possess high efficiency and are relatively low cost.

One challenge associated with utilizing SIWs for a vehicle-based sensing or communication system is associated with the connection between the integrated circuit components and the SIW. For example, microstrip or coplanar wave guide microwave transmission lines can provide an interface between the integrated circuit components and the SIW. Such connections include drawbacks, such as the requirement for a microwave component that matches the field configuration peculiar to each transmission line. The transition associated with such a microwave component increases microwave loss and introduces microwave reflections that may limit bandwidth and impact the ability to produce such systems. When a microstrip is used, bandwidth may be limited by the requirement for the ground connection to pass from the integrated circuit component connectors through the SIW substrate to a metal layer on that substrate. Such connections are typically made using a relatively expensive blind via process.

SUMMARY

An illustrative example electronic device includes a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate. An antenna member is situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members. A signal generator has a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member. The antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.

An illustrative example method of making an electronic device includes placing an antenna member in a substrate. The substrate includes a plurality of conductive members. The substrate and the plurality of conductive members establish a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW). The antenna member is in a vicinity of at least some of the conductive members. A signal generator is placed adjacent the surface of the substrate near the antenna member. The signal generator has an output comprising at least one solder ball received adjacent the surface of the substrate. An electrically conductive connection between the solder ball and the antenna member is established and the antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.

An illustrative example method of operating a transmitter including a substrate integrated wave guide (SIW) having a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate, an antenna member situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members, and a signal generator having a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member includes radiating a signal from the antenna member into the SIW. The radiated signal is based on operation of the signal generator. The signal is transmitted from the SIW.

The various features and advantages of at least one disclosed example embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a vehicle including a signaling device designed according to an embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a signaling device designed according to an embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional illustration taken along the lines 3-3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates an example antenna member.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates selected portions of the example device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 6-6 in FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of this invention provide a signaling device having a unique connection between a signal generator output and a substrate-integrated-waveguide (SIW). Embodiments of this invention eliminate interconnecting transitions between the signal generator and the SIW, which maximizes system performance while minimizing complexity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 20 including a plurality of signaling devices schematically shown at 22. In some examples, the signaling devices 22 are configured as radar signaling devices useful for detecting objects in a vicinity of the vehicle 20 based on signals schematically shown at 24 transmitted by the devices 22. The example signaling devices 22 may be useful for parking assistance, collision avoidance and other object detection features on a passenger vehicle.

A substrate 26 comprises a known integrated circuit substrate material. A variety of dielectric materials are suitable as the substrate 26. A plurality of conductive members 28 are situated in the substrate 26 to establish a SIW 30, which is useful, for example, as a microwave antenna. The SIW 30 in this example has a direction of signal transmission represented by the arrows 32. In one example, the conductive members 28 comprise metalized vias in the substrate 26. In another example, the conductive members 28 comprise metal filled vias in the substrate 26.

A signal generator component 34 is supported on the substrate 26. In this example, the signal generator component 34 includes an integrated circuit configured in a known manner for generating a desired type of signal. In this example, the signal generator component 34 includes all of the functions necessary for radio based signaling that may be useful for sensing or communication, for example. In one example embodiment, the signal generator component 34 is configured for radar detection signal transmission.

The signal generator component 34 in this example includes a ball grid array that is useful for establishing a connection with a metal layer, for example, on the substrate 26. FIG. 3 illustrates three of the solder balls of the ball grid array at 36, 38 and 40. In this example, the solder ball 38 provides a direct connection between the signal generator component 34 and an antenna member 44 that is situated at least partially in the substrate 26.

As shown in FIG. 4, the antenna member 44 of this example includes a generally flat, generally circular plate of conductive material, such as metal. In some examples, the antenna member 44 comprises a copper disk printed on a metal layer supported on the substrate 26. In the illustrated example, a via 46 provides a connection to the antenna member 44. The dimensions of the via 46 and the antenna member 44 establish the resonant frequency of the antenna element.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a solder pad 48 is supported on the substrate 26, for example on a metal layer on one surface of the substrate 26. The solder ball 38 is connected to the solder pad 48 during a reflow process used for mounting the signal generator component 34 on the substrate 26. The solder ball 38, the solder pad 48 and the via 46 provide a direct connection between the antenna member 44 and the operative circuitry of the signal generator component 34. Such a direct connection does not include or introduce microwave losses or microwave reflections, such as those that typically accompany connections to microstrips.

The antenna member 44 radiates a signal into the SIW 30 based on operation of the signal generator component 34. As best appreciated from FIG. 5, the antenna member 44 is spaced from the conductive members 28 of the SIW 30. There is at least some substrate material between the antenna member 44 and the conductive member 28. The dimensions of the antenna member 44 and its location relative to the conductive members 28 may be varied to meet different needs in different situations. For example, the desired transmission frequency and the substrate material have an impact on the desired relationship between the antenna member 44 and the conductive members 28. Given this description, those skilled in the art will be able to select appropriate dimensions and materials to meet their particular needs.

One feature of the illustrated example is a backshort established by a plurality of the conductive members 28′. In the illustrated example, the three rightmost conductive members 28′ (according to the drawing) establish the backshort. Some of the conductive members 28 are situated on a first side of the antenna member 44. The direction of signal transmission represented at 32 is on the first side of the antenna member 44. RF signal energy radiated from the antenna member 44 toward the first side of the antenna member 44 travels in the signal transmission direction 32. Some RF energy will be radiated from the antenna member 44 toward a second, different side of the antenna member, which is in an opposite direction from the direction of signal transmission shown at 32. The conductive members 28′ of the backshort reflect such RF energy and direct it into or toward the direction of signal transmission 32. The dimensions of the area on the substrate 26 for establishing the backshort is determined based on the substrate material and the frequency of the signal transmitted by the device 22. The RF energy reflected by the backshort is preferably in phase with the radiated energy from the antenna member 44 already moving in the direction of signal transmission 32. The arrangement of the conductive members 28′ on the substrate 26 needed to achieve a desired reflection of the radiated energy from the antenna member 44 for a particular implementation can be determined by those skilled in the art who have the benefit of this description.

The illustrated example signaling device 22 includes a direct connection of the ball grid array of the signal generator component 34 to the SIW 30. With the illustrated embodiment, there is no need for loss-introducing transmissions from the signal generator component to a planar wave guide and then from a planar wave guide to the SIW. It follows that the illustrated example signaling device is more effective and has potentially wider application than previous signaling device configurations.

In the illustrated example, the radiating structure of the antenna member 44 is achieved using standard planar printed circuit board technology such that no special processing is required. Additionally, no external components are needed. The illustrated example provides a lower cost solution compared to previous configurations.

The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate; an antenna member situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members; a signal generator having a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member, wherein the antenna member radiates a signal into the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a ball grid array including a plurality of solder balls; and the conductive output comprises at least one of the solder balls.
 3. The device of claim 2, comprising a solder pad on the substrate; at least one via establishing an electrically conductive connection between the solder pad and the antenna element; and wherein the at least one of the solder balls is connected to the solder pad.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna member comprises a portion of a metal layer on the substrate.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the antenna member comprises a generally circular and generally planar disk.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of conductive members of the SIW respectively comprise a metalized via or a metal-filled via in the substrate; the SIW has a direction of signal output on a first side of the antenna element; the device includes a plurality of backshort vias in the substrate on a second side of the antenna element; at least some of the second side faces in an opposite direction from the direction of signal output; and the backshort vias reflect radiation from the antenna element in the direction of signal output.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured as a radar signal emitter for use on a vehicle.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein there is substrate material separating the antenna member from the at least some of the plurality of conductive members of the SIW.
 9. A method of making an electronic device, the method comprising: placing an antenna member in a substrate, the substrate including a plurality of conductive members, the substrate and the plurality of conductive members establishing a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW), the antenna member being in a vicinity of at least some of the conductive members; placing a signal generator adjacent a surface of the substrate near the antenna member, the signal generator having an output comprising at least one solder ball received adjacent the surface of the substrate; and establishing an electrically conductive connection between the at least one solder ball and the antenna member, wherein the antenna member radiates a signal in to the SIW based on operation of the signal generator.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein placing the antenna member in the substrate comprises forming the antenna member as at least a portion of a metal layer in the substrate.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the antenna member comprises a generally circular and generally planar disk.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein there is a solder pad at least partially exposed on the surface of the substrate; there is a conductive via coupling the solder pad to the antenna element; and establishing the electrically conductive connection comprises reflowing at least some of a material of the at least one solder ball such that the at least some of the material becomes connected to the solder pad.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the plurality of conductive members of the SIW respectively comprise a metalized via or a metal-filled via in the substrate; the SIW has a direction of signal output on a first side of the antenna element; and wherein the method comprises including a plurality of backshort vias in the substrate on a second side of the antenna element for reflecting radiation from the antenna element in the direction of the signal output, the second side at least partially facing in an opposite direction from the direction of signal output.
 14. The method of claim 9, comprising configuring the device as a radar signal emitter for use on a vehicle.
 15. The method of claim 9, comprising positioning the antenna member to have substrate material separating the antenna member from the at least some of the plurality of conductive members of the SIW.
 16. A method of operating a transmitter including a substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) comprising a substrate and a plurality of conductive members in the substrate, an antenna member situated at least partially in the substrate in a vicinity of at least some of the plurality of conductive members, and a signal generator having a conductive output electrically coupled with the antenna member, the method comprising: radiating a signal from the antenna member into the SIW, the radiated signal being based on operation of the signal generator; and transmitting the signal from the SIW.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprising having the antenna member spaced from the at least some of the conductive members with substrate material between the antenna member and the at least some of the conductive members.
 18. The method of claim 16, comprising directing the signal along a direction of signal output through the SIW; reflecting a portion of the radiated signal that originates from the antenna member in a direction that is different than the direction of signal output; and causing the reflected portion of the radiated signal to be in phase with the signal along the direction of signal output.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the signal is a radar signal used for detecting at least one object in a vicinity of a vehicle.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the antenna member comprises a generally circular and generally planar disk. 